Europe Faces Record Heat as Climate Change Intensifies
Europe is currently experiencing a severe heatwave, with record-breaking temperatures in May that have left many regions sweltering. Weather forecasters describe the situation as a “highly anomalous and powerful” heat dome, an atmospheric phenomenon that traps heat and contributes to prolonged heatwaves. This pattern is becoming increasingly common due to human-caused climate change.
Several European cities have seen temperatures far above their usual averages for this time of year. London recorded a temperature 16°C higher than normal, while Paris experienced a 14°C increase. Both France and the UK declared their hottest day in May on record this week. Even cooler areas like Oslo saw temperatures rise to 18°C, which is 3°C above the typical late-May average.
Friederike Otto, a professor of Climate Science at Imperial College London, emphasizes that the current heatwave clearly shows the impact of climate change. She notes that temperatures of this magnitude were once rare even during summer. Seeing 35°C in the UK during spring is now astonishing, but the science is clear: climate change is making heatwaves more intense, longer, and more frequent.
A Brutal Reminder of Climate Change
Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), calls the current heatwave a “brutal reminder of the spiralling impacts of the climate crisis.” He attributes the problem to the world’s reliance on fossil fuels and the destruction of natural carbon sinks such as forests. According to the UN, fossil fuels are the largest contributor to global climate change, responsible for about 68% of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions.
Greenhouse gases trap the sun’s heat, leading to rising temperatures and altered weather patterns. The ongoing heatwave highlights the urgent need for action to reduce these emissions.
EU Renewable Energy Surpasses Fossil Fuels
Despite the challenges, Europe’s renewable energy sector has made significant progress. Renewables have helped cushion households from the economic pressures of fossil fuel dependence, especially in light of the Middle East conflict affecting oil supplies. Solar power alone saved Europe €3 billion in March by reducing the need for gas imports, according to an analysis by SolarPower Europe. If gas prices remain high, savings could reach up to €67.5 billion by the end of 2026.
In 2025, wind and solar generated more electricity in the EU than fossil fuels for the first time, despite a drop in hydropower and a slight increase in gas use. Wind and solar accounted for 30% of the EU’s electricity mix, surpassing fossil fuels by just one percentage point.
The growth in renewables is helping to drive down emissions, and some of the world’s top climate scientists believe that a previously projected 4.5°C temperature rise by 2100 may no longer be plausible.
Is the EU’s Renewable Boom Enough?
While there have been positive developments, several EU countries are still lagging in their transition to clean energy. Italy, for example, was criticized for delaying the permanent shutdown of its coal-fired power plants until 2038, 13 years later than initially planned. Coal is considered the dirtiest form of energy, and this delay raises concerns about the country’s commitment to reducing emissions.
The Netherlands, despite having the highest solar generation per capita in the EU, remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels, particularly gas. The slow development of large-scale wind farms puts the country at risk of missing its legally binding target to cut emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to pre-industrial levels.
Stiell stresses the importance of accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels to protect communities and economies from the increasing costs of climate change. He also highlights the need to invest in building resilience against extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, floods, wildfires, and droughts, which are already impacting food production and prices.
